We met doing one of the most romantic job requirements anyone could possibly imagine...urinalysis. Mat was checking in to Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) after just graduating Officer Candidate School, and I was the lucky ensign chosen as the female urinalysis observer! Our first real conversation was when Mat approached me a few days later at a 5K I ran every week in downtown Pensacola. We spent the next few months as study partners. First, we worked together to learn the basics of flight in the Piper Cherokee at Lightning Aviation in Foley, Alabama, through the Navy's Introductory Flight Screening program. Two months later, Mat was teaching me how to swim -- or should I say "how not to drown" -- in our water survival training. Being immersed in such a high-stress environment, we became great friends very quickly and our relationship grew stronger with every hurdle. I knew from early on that he was the one for me! I am blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life with someone I have so much love and respect for, and I look forward to celebrating our marriage with you all!